Global payments
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates, insights, and tips delivered straight to your inbox.
I once sat through a call where a client said, "Just ask them to pay through PayGlocal." My first thought was that I had no idea what that meant. Was it a bank? A wallet? Something my CA would want a certificate for? I nodded, opened a new tab and spent the next hour reading five different pages that all described it differently.
That confusion is common. So here is the short answer first. What is PayGlocal? PayGlocal is an RBI-authorised cross-border payment platform that helps Indian businesses accept international payments by card, local bank transfer and other methods, and settle the money in rupees. It is not a bank. It is a payment aggregator, which means it collects money from your overseas customers and passes it to you.
In this guide, I will explain what PayGlocal does, whether it is safe, how its fees work with real rupee-and-dollar examples, how FIRA and settlement work, and who should and should not use it. If you receive international payments as a freelancer, exporter or founder, this will help you decide with fewer open tabs.
TL;DR
What is PayGlocal? PayGlocal is an RBI-authorised cross-border payment platform for Indian businesses. It offers an international card gateway and multi-currency accounts, and settles in INR.
Is PayGlocal RBI-authorised? Yes. PayGlocal holds a Payment Aggregator – Cross Border licence for inward and outward flows, plus a Payment Aggregator Online licence for domestic payments.
How much does PayGlocal charge? PayGlocal charges 2.75% per transaction for international card transactions. Multi-currency accounts start at $10 per transaction and step down in percentage as the invoice grows. 18% GST applies on all fees.
Who should use PayGlocal? PayGlocal is suitable for businesses that take card payments from overseas customers, and exporters and freelancers who want collection accounts with export paperwork handled.
How fast is settlement, and do you get a FIRA? Through PayGlocal’s Multi-currency account, funds reach your Indian bank in about 24 hours. Also, FIRA is generated automatically on every international payment.
What is PayGlocal?
PayGlocal is a cross-border payments company that helps Indian businesses collect money from customers abroad. It was founded in 2021 and has offices in Bengaluru, Pune and Gurugram.
It sells two main things.
An international payment gateway. Your website or app accepts cards and other payment methods from overseas buyers. This suits e-commerce, travel, education and SaaS.
Multi-currency accounts. You get local bank details in foreign currencies, so your client pays like a local transfer. You receive rupees in your Indian bank account. This suits freelancers, agencies and exporters who invoice clients.
It also offers recurring payments, a domestic gateway with UPI, and tools such as risk management and sanction screening.
The easiest way to think about it is that PayGlocal sits between your overseas customer and your Indian bank account. It handles the foreign side of the payment, the currency conversion, and the compliance paperwork.
Is PayGlocal RBI-authorised and safe?
Yes. PayGlocal is authorised by the Reserve Bank of India as a Payment Aggregator – Cross Border for inward and outward flows (PA-CB-I&O), and it also holds a Payment Aggregator Online licence (PA-O).
In plain language, these licences mean:
PA-CB-I&O: PayGlocal can legally collect international payments for Indian businesses, and it can also help overseas businesses accept payments from Indian customers. The RBI gave this final authorisation in late 2025.
PA-O: PayGlocal can process domestic online payments too.
PayGlocal says it holds this licence directly, not through a bank partnership. It states that funds are held in escrow with partner banks under the RBI's cross-border framework, and its multi-currency account page lists ISO 27001 certification. PayGlocal also advertises 24/7 fraud monitoring and payee verification on every transaction.
A licence does not guarantee a perfect experience. It does mean that the company operates inside the RBI's rules, which is the first thing to check with any payment platform that handles your money.
How does PayGlocal work?
PayGlocal works in one of two ways, depending on how your customers pay you.
Card payments through the gateway:
Your customer checks out on your website or app.
They pay with an international card or another supported payment method.
PayGlocal screens the payment for fraud and processes it.
The money is converted and settled to your Indian bank account.
Bank transfers through a multi-currency account:
Sign up online with your business details and documents. PayGlocal says this takes about five minutes.
Complete a short video KYC. Your account goes live within 24 hours of it.
Share your local account details with your client, or connect a marketplace such as Upwork, Fiverr or Amazon Global Selling.
Your client pays like a domestic transfer in their own currency.
PayGlocal converts the money and sends rupees to your Indian bank account within about 24 hours, with a FIRA attached.
One detail is worth knowing about PayGlocal. A multi-currency account here is a collection account, not a bank account. Your funds are converted and settled to your existing Indian current account. They are not meant to sit in the account as a foreign currency balance.
PayGlocal features
PayGlocal's main features are its card gateway, multi-currency accounts, export paperwork tools and business tools. Here is what each one does.
1. International payment gateway
You can accept international cards and other payment methods on your checkout. PayGlocal also lists Apple Pay acceptance, hosted checkout and a Shopify app.
2. Multi-currency accounts
You can receive international payments through local bank details in currencies including USD, GBP, EUR, CAD and AUD. Because the payment travels on local rails, it avoids the SWIFT correspondent chain and the intermediary charges that can come with international wires.
3. Recurring payments
Charge international customers on a subscription basis. This matters for SaaS businesses.
4. Marketplace and platform payouts
With PayGlocal, you can withdraw from Amazon Global Selling and connect with platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr and Freelancer.com.
5. Export compliance tools
A FIRA is issued on every international payment. PayGlocal also lists IRM transmission, EDPMS closure and eBRC generation from DGFT, which are needed by an exporter.
6. Invoicing and accounting
PayGlocal lets you create GST-compliant international invoices with a pay button, and sync with Zoho Books, Odoo and Tally.
7. Domestic payments
PayGlocal offers a domestic gateway, and its pricing page lists UPI at 1.25% for eligible businesses.
8. Risk and fraud tools
PayGlocal offers its customers real-time fraud screening, custom risk rules, and chargeback and dispute alerts.
PayGlocal fees and charges
PayGlocal's fees depend on the product. International cards cost 2.75% per transaction, and multi-currency accounts use a tiered per-transaction fee that starts at $10. There is no setup fee or monthly fee, and 18% GST is added on all fees.
Product | Fees | Notes |
International cards and payment methods | 2.75% per transaction | Includes recurring payments and payment links |
Multi-currency account, under $2,000 | $10 per transaction | Flat fee |
Multi-currency account, $2,000 to $7,500 | $18 per transaction | Flat fee |
Multi-currency account, above $7,500 | 0.25% per transaction | Higher volumes can get custom pricing |
Domestic UPI | 1.25% | For eligible businesses |
Setup, monthly and refund fees | None | The original processing fee is not returned on refunds |
GST | 18% on the fee | Charged on the fee, not on the transaction amount |
PayGlocal also states that it uses the live mid-market exchange rate with no FX markup on the multi-currency account.
A worked example. Say a US client pays you $5,000 by bank transfer into your multi-currency account. The fee is $18, and GST on the fee is $3.24. Your total cost is $21.24, which is about 0.42% of the invoice.
Now say an overseas customer pays $1,000 by card through your gateway. The fee is $27.50, and GST on the fee is $4.95. Your total cost is $32.45, which is about 3.25% of the payment.
The same amount costs very different sums depending on how your customer pays. Card payments cost more than bank transfers, so it is worth steering large invoices towards bank transfer where your clients are comfortable with it.
Before you choose any platform, look beyond the headline rate. Ask about FX markup, GST on fees, dispute fees and any charge to withdraw.
PayGlocal settlement time and FIRA
On the multi-currency account, PayGlocal says rupees reach your Indian bank account within about 24 hours, and a FIRA is generated automatically on every payment at no extra cost.
A FIRA (Foreign Inward Remittance Advice) is the document that proves a foreign payment reached your account. Your CA uses it to claim benefits such as LUT and IGST refunds, and exporters use it to close their export records. Without one, you may have to request a certificate from your bank, which can mean extra visits and waiting. If you want the full difference between the two documents, read our guide on [FIRA vs FIRC for exporters and freelancers].
For the card gateway, settlement timing depends on your setup and agreement, so confirm it with PayGlocal before you plan your cash flow around it.
Who should use PayGlocal (and who should not)
PayGlocal suits businesses that take card payments from overseas customers, and exporters who want collection and compliance in one place. It is a weaker fit if you are an individual freelancer who only wants a simple way to receive client transfers.
1. PayGlocal fits well if you:
Run an e-commerce, travel, education or SaaS business that charges overseas customers by card.
Need recurring international payments for subscriptions.
Export goods and want FIRA, eBRC and EDPMS support from one dashboard.
Sell on Amazon Global Selling and want payouts routed to an Indian account.
Want both a card gateway and a multi-currency account from one provider.
2. PayGlocal may not fit if you:
Are a solo freelancer who mostly gets paid by bank transfer and wants the simplest possible setup. PayGlocal lists freelancers as a use case, but its standard KYC list mentions business documents such as incorporation papers and GST registration, so check what applies to you before you apply.
Receive mostly small invoices, where a flat $10 fee plus GST is a large share of the amount.
Want to hold foreign currency balances for later use.
PayGlocal pros and cons
I have listed down the pros and cons of PayGlocal side-by-side, so that its easier for you to take any necessary decisions.
Pros | Cons |
RBI-authorised under its own PA-CB licence | Card payments cost 2.75% plus 18% GST on the fee |
Card gateway and multi-currency account in one place | Flat $10 fee is steep on small invoices |
Automated FIRA on every payment | A collection account, not a place to hold foreign balances |
Export tools: eBRC, EDPMS and IRM support | Built primarily around businesses, so documents can be heavier for individuals |
Connects to Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer.com, Amazon Global Selling and Shopify | Custom pricing at high volumes is negotiated, so it is not published |
No setup, monthly or refund fees | Settlement time for card payments needs confirming |
The verdict: PayGlocal is a strong, properly licensed option for businesses that sell to overseas customers and want card acceptance and export paperwork handled. It is less ideal for a solo freelancer who wants a light, low-fee way to get paid by bank transfer.
PayGlocal vs Infinity: which one should you pick for international payments?
PayGlocal and Infinity both help Indian businesses receive international payments in rupees, but they are built around different needs. PayGlocal is built around accepting payments from overseas customers, especially by card. Infinity is built around helping freelancers, exporters, agencies and SaaS businesses receive payments from international clients, with simple pricing and a person to call when you need help.
Read more: Best cross-border payments platform for receiving international payments
PayGlocal vs Infinity at a glance
PayGlocal | Infinity | |
Built mainly for | Businesses taking card and checkout payments from overseas customers | Freelancers, exporters, agencies and SaaS businesses receiving international client payments |
How your customer pays | Card checkout on your site, or a local bank transfer into a multi-currency account | Bank transfer using account details in the client's own currency |
Pricing structure | 2.75% on international cards. Multi-currency accounts use a tiered per-transaction fee, with 18% GST added on fees | One 0.5% fee, all-inclusive, with no additional GST |
FIRA | Generated automatically on multi-currency payments | Free with every payment |
Settlement | About 24 hours on multi-currency accounts | About 24 hours |
Currencies and countries | Local accounts in major currencies such as USD, GBP, EUR, CAD and AUD | 50+ currencies across 160+ countries |
Support | Dashboard and support team | Dedicated personal account manager |
Mobile app | Not a headline feature | Yes, to track payments on the go |
Getting started | Online sign-up, then video KYC | Sign up in about 2 minutes, with KYC done the same day |
Where PayGlocal is the stronger fit
PayGlocal makes sense if your business depends on checkout. That includes:
An e-commerce, travel, education or SaaS business that charges overseas customers by card on your own website or app.
A product that needs recurring international billing for subscriptions.
A seller on Amazon Global Selling who wants marketplace payouts routed to an Indian account.
A business that wants a card gateway and a collection account from one provider.
Where Infinity is the stronger fit
Infinity makes sense if your income comes from international clients who pay you directly. That includes:
Freelancers and agencies who invoice overseas clients and want a quick setup without a gateway integration.
Exporters and service businesses who want a free FIRA with every payment and fewer steps before settlement.
SaaS businesses with international customers who prefer a single predictable fee rather than a fee that changes with the transaction type.
Anyone who values a human point of contact. A dedicated account manager means that when a payment is delayed or a document is needed, you contact a person who already knows your account.
Teams that track payments on the move. The mobile app shows your payments without logging into a desktop dashboard.
What does the pricing structure mean in practice?
The two platforms price in different ways, so compare the structure and not only the headline number.
PayGlocal charges a percentage on cards and a tiered per-transaction fee on multi-currency accounts, with 18% GST added on top of the fee.
Infinity charges one 0.5% fee that is all-inclusive, with no additional GST and no separate FX markup.
If you like knowing the exact cost before a payment arrives, one all-inclusive rate is easier to plan around. If your mix of payments includes cards, a gateway with card-specific pricing may suit you better. Either way, ask each provider for the full cost on a sample payment before you decide.
Quick way to decide- Infinity or PayGlocal
You sell online and want to accept cards from customers abroad | PayGlocal |
You need recurring billing for international subscriptions | PayGlocal |
You get Amazon Global Selling payouts | PayGlocal |
You invoice international clients and get paid by bank transfer | Infinity |
You want a dedicated account manager you can reach directly | Infinity |
You want one all-inclusive fee with no GST on top | Infinity |
You want to be set up and verified the same day | Infinity |
Final thoughts
PayGlocal is a licensed, capable cross-border payment platform built mainly for businesses that sell to overseas customers. Its card gateway and multi-currency accounts cover a lot of ground, its FIRA is automatic, and its fees are published. Whether it is right for you depends on how your customers pay, how large your invoices are and what documents you can provide.
Where Infinity fits in
If most of your international income comes from clients paying invoices by bank transfer, Infinity is built for that. You pay one 0.5% all-inclusive fee, with no separate FX markup and no additional GST, and a FIRA comes free with every payment. Money settles in about 24 hours, and you get a dedicated personal account manager and a mobile app. Infinity supports 50+ currencies across 160+ countries, and more than 10,000 users have already onboarded.
Getting started is quick:
Sign up in about 2 minutes.
Complete verification and KYC the same day.
Receive bank details in multiple currencies.
Start receiving international payments.
Start receiving international payments with Infinity
Frequently asked questions
What is PayGlocal?
PayGlocal is an RBI-authorised cross-border payment platform that helps Indian businesses accept international payments by card and local bank transfer, and settle them in rupees. It is a payment aggregator, not a bank.
Is PayGlocal safe and RBI-approved?
Yes. PayGlocal holds an RBI authorisation as a Payment Aggregator – Cross Border for inward and outward flows, plus a Payment Aggregator Online licence. It also lists ISO 27001 certification and funds held in escrow with partner banks.
How much does PayGlocal charge?
International cards cost 2.75% per transaction. Multi-currency accounts cost $10 per transaction under $2,000, $18 from $2,000 to $7,500, and 0.25% above that. There is no setup or monthly fee, and 18% GST applies on all fees.
Does PayGlocal provide a FIRA?
Yes. On the multi-currency account, PayGlocal generates a FIRA automatically on every payment at no extra cost, and you can download it from your dashboard.
Can freelancers use PayGlocal?
Freelancers can use it, and it connects to platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr and Freelancer.com. Its standard KYC mentions business documents, including GST registration, so confirm the exact requirements for individuals before applying.
Can I hold USD in a PayGlocal account in India?
Not in the usual sense. The multi-currency account is a collection account, not a bank account. Funds are converted and settled to your Indian current account.
How long does PayGlocal take to settle payments?
On the multi-currency account, rupees reach your Indian bank account within about 24 hours of the conversion. Card settlement timing depends on your agreement, so confirm it with PayGlocal.
